Cassia {Starboard City}
Velaris is a country to the northeast, known for its high elevation and snowcapped mountain ranges. Many of its cities lie in the valley or in the peaks of mountains, with hollowed out passages through the mountains connecting the lower cities to the higher cities. Mountain cities, such as Sidra and Indra, have tall towers that lead up and down to the valleys below. These towers also provide housing for the operators, magical technicians, elementals, and traveling astromancers. Valley cities tend to be somewhat warmer than the mountainous ones, offering a better climate to grow herbs and crops specific to Velaris. During the summer, they see more green than snow, whereas mountain cities never see such seasonal changes.
Being so high up, Velaris is often referred to as the City of Stars - and well-known for the aurora borealis that is seen in the region. Many astronomers and astrologers come to visit and reside in Velaris for its clear view of the stars above.
To the south, the Nath Mountains separate Velaris from Elegia, a region that is lower elevation and almost always entirely lush and green. Gordaina borders both Elegia and Velaris to the southwest, but due to its isolated nature, the passages leading to Velaris have been sealed off. Directly to the west is Eldheim, a vast country full of ice and snow, permafrost and tundra...and the most beautiful architecture made from ice and snow.
Major Cities
As A mountain city, close to the stars. Tall towers lead up to El Nath from the valley below. Snowcapped mountains and the aurora borealis in full view.
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Crescent City A city situated on an island resembling a crescent moon. It is half ice, half landmass.
Indra Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse a felis molestie, porttitor est eget, euismod mauris. Integer fermentum est vitae dui pretium fermentum.
Lunaire Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse a felis molestie, porttitor est eget, euismod mauris. Integer fermentum est vitae dui pretium fermentum.
Races of Velaris
Haellian Haellians account for about 40% of the population.
Elves/Fae Elves and fae from Elegia are about 40% of the population. Many families migrated north during the great war between Fillory and Latheirte, and most of the fae and elves found in Velaris are their descendants. However, on occasion, there will be new immigrants from Elegia, and the fae and elves in Velaris are often quick to welcome them in to their communities, though this isn't always the case.
Ice Elves Ice Elves are about 12% of the population, providing the most environmental support in terms of elemental magic. Since they are naturally attuned to the elements, they are not part of the Circle of Magic like elemental Haellians might be. They often spend time creating or teaching others how to make perfect ice sculptures that will never melt, even in the hottest deserts.
Aghari Aghari are the smallest population in Velaris, with about 8% of the total population. Despite being the smallest population, they tend to be the most useful in construction, general labor, and as specialty experts in hunting for their better senses and animal instincts. They range from larger bear species, to smaller mountain lions, elk, deer, and birds. About 1/4th of the Aghari people are hybrids, who have more humanoid features than anthropomorphic.
Culture {Food, Arts, Fashion}
The arts are considered a very big part of Velarian culture. Anything from paints and pastels, ceramics and glass-blowing, embroidery and clothing - Velarian has great inspiration when it comes to arts and crafts. Art in Velaris is mostly about self-expression, emotion, and can end up being on the more abstract or super-realistic spectrum. Woodworking is a common form of art for lesser populated regions, and is often seen in the craftsmanship in boats. Wares from Velaris tend to be the greatest export to other countries around the world, especially among the uppperclass.
Food is very important in Velaris, especially given how rare it is for any normal variety of food to grow in the cold. However, in addition to unique fruits that grow in the region, there have been great successes in creating hyrids or new versions of fruits and vegetables that can withstand the cold. Many of these are carefully harvested in the valleys where it tends to be warmer, and are brought up to the mountains for trade. Meats can be scarce in the cold, but are often imported from Elegia or Cassia. The food itself tends to trend towards warmth, including soups, noodles, casseroles, and more - hot spices and peppers are always used, to ensure warmth is felt when outside in the elements.
Fashion trends towards fur-lined boots, gloves, cloaks, and more - even undergarments. They come in various styles and colorations, often found in vendors from the Arts District, and solely depend on one's style. Cloaks, hoods, earmuffs, mittens, and scarves are some of the ebst ways to accessorize outdoors, while sweaters, particularly turtlenecks, tend to be quite favored indoors. Depending on how toasty someone prefers their home to be, they may very well have short-sleeved clothing as well.
Government & Political Relations
The Auroura Borealis Coaltion An alliance for Velaris and several other northernmost regions, including Theralis and Eldheim. Each nation is independent and represented by selected officials, and come together in times of greatest need.
Elegia [Neutral] While Elegia borders the south of Velaris, there are mostly neutral feelings between the two. Velaris greatly supports Eldrys for its sanctuary for fae and elves alike, but does not support how Fillory and Lethairte are hostile towards each other.
Cassia [Positive] Since Cassia provides one of the biggest port cities in Acanthus, Velaris has become very good friends with Cassia as a trade partner and safe haven for newcomers. One of the main roads from Cassia leads to Velaris' Sidra.
Gordaina [Neutral] Due to Gordaina's unfortuante invasion a decade past, the region is time and spell-locked, rendering it completely isolated from the other nations in Acanthus. Though once very good friends with Gordaina, Velaris' closer proximity to the nation has put them on their guard.
Eldheim [Allied] Another nation that is primarily found on ice, tundra, and permafrost. Velaris is good friends with Eldheim and particularly gets along with their famed ice sculptures and architecture. Many ice elves from Velaris have roots in Eldheim.
Theralis [Allied] Although not very close neighbors, Theralis has proven to be a great friend to Velaris. Many underground tunnels and settlements are lniked to the Velarian mountains, and many dark elves live in Velaris.
Magic & Science
Magic is very much a part of daily life in Velaris; in order to keep from freezing, fire elementals keep gentle flames going in hearths and lanterns throughout the major cities and settlements. The flames are warm enough to make a room warm and toasty, but gentle in nature to keep from melting the snow and ice. Ice elements, particularly ice elves, ensure that the snow and ice in the mountains is intact and structurally sound to prevent any flooding or environmental heating that could result in disaster.
When it comes to science, astronomers and astrologers are often seen in the mountain cities, cooped up in the tallest of towers. There, they study the stars, the universe, and how magic exists within the unvierse. Astrologers, or astrologians, study the Zodiac and the history of the Zodai, on the other side of the universe. Since many species originated from the Zodai, they look to understand how one's astrological chart determines their elemental prowess, if they have any magical potential.
Overall, magic and science go hand-in-hand for the Velarian peoples. Magic is treated as both a way to enhance one's daily life, with the summoning of light, a familiar to help clean the workspace, and so on, as well as a way to preserve the environment while enhancing the experience of those who live there. Fire magic is only really used indoors and for outdoor lighting, so temperatures outside still require a great deal of bundling up.
Spirituality & Folklore
When it comes to spirituality, Velaris is open to many interpretations and deities. Gods relating to the stars, sun, and moon tend to be the most common of beliefs in Velarians. Because they often seen only the moon or sun for half of a year, they celebrate the coming, going, and midpoint of each time the light of day or dark of moon approaches. Starlight, Moonlight, or Sunlight festivals occur annually, to celebrate the passage of time.
Folklore tends to touch upon various races and their own versions of tales found in their hmes of origin. For example, the Yeti is a very popular creature that is spotted in the surrounding forests of Velaris, but to an elf from Elegia, that is a Sasquatch that eats people alive if they are unfortunate to be nearby. Ice sprites are often